Add a second bathroom in second floor master?

[Roy Gutierrez]

Hello,

I bought a bungalow in a middle class neighborhood in Michigan, centrally located and close to a very nice downtown (not detroit!) but the house is in the service drive of a highway, it's a pain to back out into the service drive (although could turn the car around by going into the grass area at the back of the house), that's why I got it cheaper than other houses in the area, 29K and putting about 20K in renovations. I'm renovating the entire first floor which has 2 bedrooms, brand new bathroom and brand new kitchen, the master bedroom is in the second floor and it's not bad so I'm leaving it alone. Houses in the area compared to mine are renting around $1,000 per month, so the cons are my property is in a service drive, no basement, and no central air (no biggie in michigan but being on a service drive and considering car fumes might have to install one) pros are most houses won't be as nice as mine, renovated, nice open layout and 2 car garage.

Now to the question, I'm concerned that the master has no bathroom, so the renter will have to go downstairs to use the bathroom. How big of a deterrent would this be for a renter? Could it be worth it to add a bathroom in the second floor? I estimate it will cost me about $4,000 to put a small bathroom.

Thanks for the feedback in advance!

[Michael Dundon]

Hey Roy,

We always put a second bath in the basement of our rentals- whether a ranch or bungalow. Much more cost effective that way and like others have mentioned on this thread- people don't expect a bathroom on the upper floor of a bungalow around here. We've bought a few bungalows in South Redford where they have already been there and that's a nice bonus- but like I said we always put second baths in the basements.

I don't know- no basement and on a main road? Both of those factors are deal breakers for me. Is it too late to back out?:)

If you can't back out I would do what @Rob K. said and just rent it is-as. Save your money.

I see you're from Oak Park. My partner and I own 3 properties there. Anyway, there's an investor meeting this Tuesday at Sila's in Berkley (12 and Greenfield)- from 6-9pm. I'ts a great meeting. Check it out

Good Luck! Mike D